Catalina Conservancy Ball Weathers Storm

Byline: The Log Staff AVALON — Organizers said this year’s 17th annual Conservancy Ball, benefitting the Catalina Island Conservancy, was a great success, despite the formidable weather challenges that were present April 14. With its theme of “History in the Making,” the ball celebrated the 40th anniversary of the conservancy’s work to protect the 88 percent of the island that is under its stewardship. Not only was this year’s event the top-grossing ball in its 17 years, but it also made history because of heavy weather that made cross-channel passage by boat impossible on the day of the ball. The tail end of a rainstorm left winds whipping across the channel, leaving more than 100 guests stranded on the mainland — along with Vox Audio, the dance band and entertainment for the evening. But thanks to the generosity of vintner Geoffrey Rusack, husband of Alison Wrigley Rusack, the entertainers arrived safely and on time. Rusack’s private plane whisked the band and entertainers to the event via Catalina Island’s Airport in the Sky. The event, co-hosted by Balboa Yacht Club, was sold out weeks in advance, and it was on course to be one of the largest balls since the event’s inception. The club had chartered Newport Flyer...